Dumb oil pan capacity question

jcode68 · May 6, 2009

I feel a little silly asking this, but I need to know, so here goes. I am running this Milodon 8 quart oil pan on my 347 and using this Ford Racing oil dipstick mounted on the front timing cover. My question is my dipstick shows full with only 6 quarts of oil, but I was expecting to use 8 quarts given the extra capacity of the pan. I don't want to overfill, but why would the dipstick read full if there is 2 more quart capacity for the pan I'm running? Anyone else experience this?

2nd Mustang · May 6, 2009

Not being the original owner, I'm not really sure about my seven quart pan either. I used to put seven quarts in and the dipstick read full, as in, at the top line. Being that the economy has worsened and now I'm retired, , my cheapness takes over and only put in six quarts now. It still runs fine and oil pressure is still where it normally is at.

I know, this doesn't help.

Az Pete · May 6, 2009

Dip sticks may not be original to the pan you are using. If it is an 8 qt. pan, you can fill it with 8 qt., run it, then mark on the stick where "full" is. I have done this with several after market sticks.

jcode68 · May 7, 2009

I guess I was thinking that the dipstick is per spec for a 302 block, therefore must extend to the same level from the bottom of the block, so it wouldn't matter what pan was under it. Of course the opposite should also be true - that the 8 qt oil pan was built per spec for the 32 block to hold 8 quarts. Any other opinions on this before I add another 2 qts?

66forfun · May 8, 2009

you are fine with 6 qts. add 8 and the oil will be closer to the crank probably defeating any positive effects of using a windage tray if you are using one. the oil pump uses a longer pickup and will not be starved running 6 qts. I like the fact that the dipstick reads full at 6.

2+2GT · May 8, 2009

If the bottom of the pan is the same distance from the block, then you should have correct readings on a stock stick. If the pan is a "deep" style, requiring an extended pickup, then the described method would be to fill with the requisite amount of oil, i.e. 8 quarts, run the engine to fill the oil filter, and mark your stick at the new "full" line.

blown65 · May 8, 2009

2nd Mustang said:
Not being the original owner, I'm not really sure about my seven quart pan either. I used to put seven quarts in and the dipstick read full, as in, at the top line. Being that the economy has worsened and now I'm retired, , my cheapness takes over and only put in six quarts now. It still runs fine and oil pressure is still where it normally is at.

I know, this doesn't help.

I run that same pan on my car. STD melling pump. 6 quarts of oil plus oil in the filter. If I was doing more of street stuff I'd prob run the 7th quart. No issues and no oil pressure drop.

D.Hearne · May 8, 2009

I bought what was supposed to be a 9 qt. pan similar to a Milidon pan, but with 9 qts the crank was whipping the oil up and forcing some out the front seal between the pan and timing cover. I've since changed dipstick tube and stick (bought at the local Advance Auto Parts off the chrome shelf) and now only fill with 8 qts. There was about a 3/8" difference in fill levels between the old and new dipstick and tube.

jcode68 · May 8, 2009

Well I changed my oil today and put in 8 qts of fresh Mobil 1. I marked a new line on the dipstick - I didn't measure it but it was about an inch higher up on the stick. I'll keep an eye out for oil around the timing cover and if so, will drop back a quart. Thanks for the input guys.

Dumb oil pan capacity question

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